Permeable tarmac driveways in South Glamorgan
Looking for permeable tarmac driveways in South Glamorgan? Start with a guide price, then a survey that turns it into a fixed, written specification.

How much does a permeable tarmac driveway cost in South Glamorgan?
Rates in South Glamorgan follow Wales, about 5% below our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Porous asphalt drive on a permeable stone base | £76–£119 per m² |
| Example: 30 m² drive | £2,500–£3,900 |
| Example: 50 m² drive | £3,800–£5,950 |
| Example: 80 m² drive | £6,100–£9,500 |
Towns we cover in South Glamorgan
Postcode areas: CF.
What is included?
A permeable tarmac drive uses porous asphalt, a mix with fewer fine particles so water passes through the gaps, laid on an open-graded stone base that stores the rain and lets it soak into the ground.
- Dig out deeper than a standard drive to fit the storage layer
- Geotextile separating layer on the formation
- Open-graded permeable sub-base, often Type 3 or 4/20 stone
- Porous asphalt binder and surface courses
- Overflow to a soakaway or border on slow-draining ground
- Edge restraint that does not block the flow
Rules in South Glamorgan
In Wales, a new hard surface in front of a house is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a permeable area within the property; repairing or replacing up to 5 m² of existing hardstanding is allowed without meeting that condition. Separately, since January 2019, construction covering 100 m² or more that affects drainage generally needs approval from the council's SuDS Approving Body (SAB) before work starts, even where planning permission is not needed. Larger drives, shared surfaces and car parks often reach that threshold. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the council as highway authority approves it before any work on the footway.
How it is built
Permeable tarmac driveways in South Glamorgan: questions
How much does a permeable tarmac driveway cost in South Glamorgan?
As a 2026 guide, about £76–£119 per m² inc VAT in South Glamorgan. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in South Glamorgan do you cover?
Cardiff, Barry, Penarth, Llantwit Major, Llandaff, Dinas Powys.
How long does a permeable tarmac driveway take?
Usually 3–5 working days.
Does a permeable drive need planning permission?
In England, a front driveway over 5 m² does not usually need permission if the surface is porous or drains to a permeable area within the property. Permeable tarmac built properly meets that. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules.
Other services in South Glamorgan
Get a written tarmac quote
Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.
- Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
- Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
- Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
- Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED